Tag: study

Articles, Roy Porter

THE TEACHER

| Roy

John 14:26 – But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

II Peter 1:3 – According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Students attend school, they have a teacher who gives them books and teaches them out of those books, and the teacher gives her students homework.

The teacher gives them tests to see what they’ve learned.

This teacher has assistants.

The schoolhouse is the Church building.

The homework is our Bible study and prayer at home.

In prayer, we ask our Heavenly Father to help us understand what we are studying: and the Holy Spirit will give us the answer.

This book, the Bible, has many Books, It covers all things concerning life and godliness.

We are the students.

If we never open the Book or if we never go to school or Church we write our own book and make God whoever we want Him to be.

Like learning in school 2+2=4. That is correct math. This teacher (the Holy Spirit) says, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh to the Father but by Him (Jesus Christ). Jesus is grace and truth.

How do I have this knowledge? I learned it from the Teacher and His Book at Church and at home.

II Peter 3:18 – Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

 

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

NEITHER FEARFUL NOR SELF-SUFFICIENT PART I

| Jeanette

I JOHN 4:18 – THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE; BUT PERFECT LOVE CASTETH OUT FEAR: BECAUSE FEAR HATH TORMENT. HE THAT FEARETH IS NOT PERFECT IN LOVE.

FEAR MEANS DREAD, AND TORMENT MEANS TO SUFFER UNBAREABLE PAIN OR PUNISHMENT.

FEAR IS A TORMENT OF THE MIND. GOD REVEALED TO ME THAT FEAR AND WORRY ARE THE WORST THINGS WITH WHICH HIS MINISTERS HAVE TO DEAL. IT CAN PARALIZE. THIS COULD BE EMOTIONALLY OR PHYSICALLY. BOTH CAN BRING ON MANY DISEASES.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF FEAR AND DISEASE ARE PHENOMINAL.

WHAT WE CALL STAGE FRIEGHT, IS JUST AS REVELANT IN MINISTERS AS IT HAS EVER BEEN IN ANY PUBLIC SPEAKER.

ONE OF THE GREATEST RADIO VOICES OF THE PAST, C.M. WARD, WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS.  HE SAID, MANY TIMES BRFORE HE WAS TO SPEAK, HE WOULD SIT IN THE WAITING AREA, AND ASK GOD TO RAPTURE OUT THE CHURCH RIGHT THEN, SO HE WOULDN’T HAVE TO SPEAK.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON OF ALL THE FRIGHTS  IN THE LIFE OF A MINISTER; AND EVEN IN BUSINESS PEOPLE WHO ARE SCHEDULED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION.

BUT I FEEL THE MOST DAMAGING KIND OF FEAR IS THE FEAR OF FAILURE. TO FAIL, MEANS TO BE WANTING. THOSE WITH ANY KIND OF RESPONSIBILITY, GET INTO FEAR.    MOSTLY, BECAUSE THEY GET THEIR MINDS OFF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS; AND ON THEIR WEAKNESS.

PSALM 89:33,34 – NEVERTHELESS MY LOVINGKINDNESS WILL I NOT UTTERLY TAKE FROM HIM, NOR SUFFER MY FAITHFULNESS TO FAIL.

      MY COVENANT WILL I NOT BREAK, NOR ALTER THE THING THAT IS GONE OUT OF MY LIPS.

WHOM GOD CALLS, HE EQUIPS!! HE GIVES US ALL THE TOOLS WE NEEP TO PERFORM IN OUR CALLING.

IF WE COULD ONLY UNDERSTAND —NO!, WE CAN’T DO IT,  BUT GOD THROUGH US CAN!

I USED TO SPEAK AT OTHER CHURCHES ON OCCASIONS. BUT LATER ON, I BEGAN TO FEEL THE STRESS OF MINISTRY, AND SAID TO MYSELF, “I’LL JUST SUPPORT MY HUSBAND IN HIS CALLING, AND LET HIM DO THE PREACHING.” I STILL MINISTERED TO PEOPLE AND TAUGHT CLASSES AND BIBLE STUDY, BUT WHEN IT CAME TO WHAT I CALLED ‘MINISTERING OUT, I WOULD NOT ACCEPT IT, AND LEFT IT TO MY HUSBAND.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED? ALL THE DOORS CLOSED FOR ME.

I WAS WAS LOOKING AT MY ABILITY, NOT WHAT GOD COULD DO THROUGH ME. FEAR OF FAILURE HAD SET-IN. I WOULD BE ANOINTED AT ONE SERVICE, AND WOULD BE WORRIED THAT THE NEXT TIME I WOULDN’T BE, ESPECIALLY WHEN BEING TAKEN OUT OF MY “COMFORT-ZONE”. I WAS STILL DEPENDING ON MYSELF AND SOMEHOW I GOT MY EYES OFF THE COVENANT I  HAD WITH GOD.

DEUTERONOMY 31:6 – BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, FEAR NOT, NOR BE AFRAID OF THEM: FOR THE LORD THY GOD, HE IT IS THAT DOETH GOOD WITH THEE; HE WILL NOT FAIL THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.

LUKE 22:32 – I HAVE PRAYED FOR THEE, THAT THY FAITH FAIL NOT…

FEAR AND FAITH ARE OPPOSITE. I DIDN’T REALLY SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH WHAT I WAS DOING. I WAS STILL AS BUSY AS EVER.

I BEGAN SOME YEARS AGO TO JOURNAL. I WOULD WRITE DOWN MY PRAYERSTO GOD, AND HE BAGAN TO SPEAK TO ME. HE WOULD TELL ME HE WANTED TO TAKE ME TO A NEW LEVEL WITH HIM. I WAS TO DEPEND ON HIM. I REALIZED I HAD LET FEAR AND WORRY, AND MY DELIVERY, KEEP ME FORM DOING WHAT HE WANTED OF ME. I WAS SO ASHAMED AND REPENTANT.

HE STARTED WITH A RADIO PROGRAM, “WOMAN OF GOD,” THEN, WRITING AND PUBLISHING THE SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE, AND MINISTERING OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE IN CHURCHES AND PRISONS.

I FOUND OUT, ALL I NEED TO DO IS PREPARE, AND TRUST HIM TO OPEN DOORS. HE GIVES ME THE MESSAGES. ALL I HAVE TO DO IS SPEAK WHAT HE GIVES ME, AND MOVE WHEN HE MOVES. HIS MESSAGE FOR THE HOUR IS ALL HE REQUIRES ME TO SPEAK.

I PRAY, SEEK HIM, AND SOMETIMES FAST, AND HE SHOWS UP, AND THERE IS A DEMONSTRATION OF HIS POWER: FOR HE KNOWS THOSE WHO WILL HEAR, AND HE KNOWS HOW TO REACH EACH PERSON.

THERE IS ALSO A WARNING THAT COMES WITH THE MINISTRY THAT SHOULD BE COVERED, AND THAT IS SELF-SIFFICIENTCY. WHICH WE WILL DISCUSS IN PART II.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

WORDS PART II

| Jeanette

PICTURE IN YOUR MIND, A PERSON STANDING IN THE CENTER OF A ROOM. WHEN A NEGATIVE WORD IS SPOKEN, THAT WORD IS CONSTANTLY SHOUTED AT THAT PERSON. THE PERSON IN THE CENTER BEGINS TO LOOK BEATEN DOWN. THEN, WHEN POSITIVE WORDS AND STATEMENTS ARE DONE THE SAME WAY, THE PERSON IN THE CENTER, REACHES OUT AND GATHERS (OR RECEIVES) EACH POSITIVE WORD AND BEGINS TO REJOICE. IF THE PERSON RECEIVES THE NEGATIVE WORDS, THEY WILL REMAIN IN A CAST DOWN CONDITION.

IF YOU CAN GET THIS PICTURE, YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE MESSAGE.

SOME OF THE NEGATIVE WORDS AND STATEMENTS; OR WE COULD CALL THEM CURSES, ARE: “FAILURE; NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING; JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER; NO GOOD; GOING TO HELL; DRUG ADDICT; ALCOHOLIC; PROSTITUTE; JOHN; LAZY;” AND PROBABLY THE WORST OF ALL IS: “I HATE YOU; I WISH YOU WERE DEAD; I WISH YOU WERE NEVER BORN; WE’RE GETTING A DIVORCE; IT’S YOUR FAULT; I’M GOING TO KILL YOU; REJECTION; DESERTION; GET OUT; YOU’RE SICK!

YOU MAY EVEN BE HEARING VOICES FROM THE OTHER SIDE, “KILL!, KILL!; COMMIT SUICIDE!!”

FEAR AND ANGER ARE TWO OF THE FIRST SPIRITS OF EVLL THAT ENTERS THE LIFE OF THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE NEGATIVE WORDS FOR THEMSELVES, AND BELIEVE THEM. THEY BECOME A PART OF THEIR LIVES; WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THEMSELVES.

I MIGHT ADD, BELOVED, ADULTS, AS WELL AS CHILDREN ARE SUSCEPTIBLE AND SENSITIVE TO RECEIVING SUCH WORDS AS A PART OF THEM, IF THEY HEAR THEM ENOUGH.

II TIMOTHY 1:7 – FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; BUT OF POWER, AND OF LOVE, AND OF A SOUND MIND.

THE DEMON SPIRIT OF FEAR CAN PARALYZE ANYONE INTO BELIEVING ALL THESE LIES ABOUT THEM.

JOHN 10:10 – THE THIEF COMETH NOT, BUT FOR TO STEAL, AND TO KILL, AND TO DESTROY: I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT MORE ABUNDANTLY (OR IN IT’S FULLEST  MEASURE).

SOME OF YOU CAN HEAR YOUR SAINTLY GRANDMOTHER PRAYING NOW, “O GOD, SAVE MY BABY; DON’T LET MY BABY GO TO HELL!”

MANY OF YOU WHO ARE SAVED, CAN LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE, AND SEE WHAT IT TOOK TO GET YOU TO THIS PLACE OF SURRENDER TO GOD.

IT WAS THE DRAWING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IT WAS THE PRAYERS OF SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT YOU.

WHEN JESUS CHRIST COMES IN TO LIVE, AND WE BEGIN TO STUDY THE BIBLE, AND HEAR ANOINTED PREACHING AND TEACHING, WE BEGIN TO HEAR, AND DISCOVER POSITIVE WORDS IN THE SCRIPTURES: THAT TELL US WHO WE REALLY ARE IN CHRIST.

THAT IS, WHEN WE SEE OURSELVES AS CHRIST SEES US:  LOVED, JOHN 3:16; SAVED, EPHESIANS 2:8; HAVING ETERNAL LIFE, JOHN 3:15; NO CONDEMNATION, ROMANS 8:1; DELIVERED, LUKE 4:18; HEALED, I PETER 2:24; CHILD OF GOD, ROMANS 8:16; JOINT HEIR WITH CHRIST, ROMANS 8:17; FREE, JOHN 8:32, 36; NEVER ALONE, MATTHEW 1:23; RIGHTEOUS, ROMANS 5:19; I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, PHILIPPIANS 4:13; FORGIVEN, LUKE 6:37; VICTORIOUS, I CORINTHIANS 15:57; A NEW CREATION, II CORINTHIANS 5:17; OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY, II CORINTHIANS 5:17; PROMISE OF HEAVEN, HEBREWS 12:22, 23; WILL REIGN WITH CHRIST, ROMANS 5:17.  REWARDS, PEACE.

CHRIST NEVER TOLD ANYONE, “YOU’LL NEVER MAKE IT; YOU’RE A FAILURE; I HATE YOU; GO TO HELL.”

BELOVED, EVEN IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, THE MIND IS THE BATTLE GROUND.

WE ARE TO RENEW OUR MINDS DAILY, BY READING AND STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD.

*WATCH FOR  “WORDS” PART III

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

THE MEANEST AND THE BADEST

| Jeanette

THE SCRIPTURES RECORD MANY WHO WERE DEMON POSSESSED AND HAD ALL KINDS OF DISEASES THAT ARE INCURABLE, BUT ALL OF THESE ARE NO MATCH FOR JESUS. HE SOUGHT AFTER THEIR SOULS.

MANY CHRISTIANS ARE BOUND-UP WITH THINGS THAT KEEP THEM FROM GOD’S BEST FOR THEM. 

JOHN 4:9-14 – THUS SAITH THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA UNTO HIM, HOW IS IT THAT THOU BEING A JEW, ASKETH DRINK OF ME, WHICH AM A WOMAN  OF SAMARIA? FOR THE JEWS HAVE NO DEALINGS WITH THE SAMARITANS.

THIS WOMAN KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JESUS, SHE JUST KNEW HE WAS A MAN, ALTHOUGH SHE DID BELIEVE THE MESSIAH WAS TO COME. BEING A SAMARITAN, SHE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WHY A JEW  WOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH HER, MUCH LESS TALK TO HER.

JESUS HAD A PLAN IN MIND. HE DELIBERATELY WENT THROUGH SAMARIA FOR THIS REASON; TO TALK TO HER. HE WAS ALWAYS AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME, EVEN IN HIS DEATH.

HE COULD HAVE GONE ANOTHER ROUTE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR HIM, BUT HE HAD A DIVINE APPOINTMENT UP THE ROAD.

THERE WAS A GREAT CONFLICT BETWEEN THE JEWS AND THE SAMARITANS CONCERNING WHERE THEY SHOULD WORSHIP.

BUT JESUS HAD A GREATER MISSION THERE THAN JUST ONE WOMAN. HE KNEW WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO BRING REVIVAL TO THE PEOPLE OF SAMARIA.

HE WAS ABOVE ALL PREJUDICE.

HE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN WHERE TO WORSHIP, AS WHERE THE JEWS AND SAMARITANS, BECAUSE THE WORSHIP WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE. IT WOULD BE IN THE HEARTS OF THE BELIEVERS: THE JEW FIRST, AND THEN THE GENTILES.

MANY TIMES WE DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE CROSSING OVER HE PREJUDICE BARRIERS TO WITNESS JESUS TO THOSE WE CONSIDER OUR ENEMY, OR DIFFERENT FROM US. THEIR CUSTOMS SOMETIMES TURN US OFF, AND WE ARE SOMETIMES INDIFFERENT TOWARDS THEM, MAYBE EVEN AFRAID OF THEM.

JESUS BEGAN TO TELL THE WOMAN ABOUT HER LIFE THROUGH THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE. SHE HAD A BAD REPUTATION, AND ONLY THE MEN WOULD TALK TO HER.

HOW DO I KNOW THAT? SHE CAME TO THE WELL ALONE, NOT LIKE THE CUSTOMARY TIME OF THE DAY WHEN THE WOMEN GATHERED TO DRAW WATER.

JESUS GAVE HER THAT LIVING WATER THAT DOES NOT COME FROM THE WELL, IT WAS EVERLASTING LIFE!! SHE WENT AWAY WITHOUT HER WATERPOT, AND BROUGHT OTHERS TO THAT WATER THAT WAS NOT FROM THE WELL, AND THEY CAME TO JESUS AND RECEIVED SALVATION.

WE AS BELIEVERS ARE TOLD IN MATTHEW 28:19, TO …GO YE THEREFORE AND TEACH ALL NATIONS… BUT SOMETIMES WE SHUN THOSE OF WHICH GOD REALLY WANTS US TO WITNESS.

THE MOST UNLIKELY ONE’S ARE THOSE WHO ARE THE BIGGEST CATCH IN GOD’S KINGDOM.

HERE, I AM REMINDED OF A MISSIONARY TRIP, WHEN BEFORE GOING, I PRAYED, “GOD, GIVE US THE SOULS OF THE ‘MEANEST AND BADEST’ (WHICH IS NOT VERY GOOD ENGLISH, BY THE WAY), BUT NEVERTHELESS, THAT’S THE WAY I PRAYED. 

WE WERE HAVING A TENT REVIVAL IN SOTO, A VILLAGE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

THE SERVICES WERE GOING WONDERFUL. GOD WAS MOVING.

THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN!!  – THERE WAS A LOUD COMMOTION. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, I WAS ERNESTLY PRAYING FOR A LADY WHO WANTED TO GET SAVED  AND WANTED PRAYER FOR HER HURT LEG.

I WAS STILL PRAYING FOR HER LEG WHEN MY HUSBAND AND BILL POSEY YELLED TO US TO GET OUT OF THE TENT AND RUN INTO THE FIELD  BEHIND THE TENT.

ROCKS WERE SAILING INTO THE TENT WITH MIGHTY FORCE!!

SOME OF OUR FRIENDS HAD COME TO THE REVIVAL WITH THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS. THEIR WINDSHIELDS GOT IN THE LINE OF FIRE, AND WERE CRASHED AND SHATTERED.

SOME OF THE YOUNG MEN FIGHTING, WERE INTOXICATED.

WE FOUND OUT LATER FROM MISSIONARY MITCH MARTINEZ, THEY WERE TWO FACTIONS ROCK BATTLEING, AND WE JUST SEEMED TO BE IN THEIR CROSSFIRE.

THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE RUSHED INTO VEHICLES AND SPED OFF, AWAY FROM DANGER.

I NOTICED MY HUSBAND, ROY PORTER, BILL , JERKED OUT TWO TENT POSTS, AND WERE READY FOR CONFRONTATION IF NEEDED BE.

THE NEXT NIGHT, ONE OF OUR FRIENDS, MIRIAM SANCHEZ, WENT TO THE POLICE AND ARRIVED WITH THREE POLICEMEN. ONE OF THEM WAS VERY BIG AND HAD KILLED SOME PEOPLE, SO HIS REPUTATION WAS WELL KNOWN AMONG THE PEOPLE.

EVERYTHING WENT WELL THAT NIGHT, AND THE POLICEMEN GOT SAVED.

THE THIRD NIGHT, WE HAD NO POLICEMEN. I GUESS THE POLICE THOUGHT WE DIDN’T NEED ANY BECAUSE THE NIGHT BEFORE WAS QUIET.

MY HUSBAND SPOTTED SOME OF THE ROCK THROWERS GATHER AROUND IN VARIOUS PLACES, SPREADING-OUT,  HE HAD NO GUN, SO HE ASKED THE MISSIONARY FOR THIS WOODEN BRUSH. HE WRAPPED A HANKIE AROUND IT, AND STUFFED IT INTO HIS POCKET. IT REALLY DID LOOK LIKE A GUN.

THE WORD GOT AROUND, “THE PASTOR HAS A GUN.”

SOME SAID, “THE PASTOR????

HE ASKED SANDRA SLIGH TO PREACH FOR HIM, SO HE COULD KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS AND I WAS TO GIVE THE ALTER CALL IN WHICH ONE OF THE FACTION WHICH WAS INTOXICATED, GAVE HIS HEART TO CHRIST.

SOON AFTER, I SAW MY HUSBAND WITH TWO MORE. HE SAT THEM DOWN IN CHAIRS AND BEGAN TO TALK TO THEM, AS THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS DEALING WITH THEIR HEARTS.

BOTH YOUNG MEN GAVE THEIR HEARTS TO JESUS, AND SHORTLY AFTER, ONE OF THEM PULLED OUT A BUTCHER KNIFE AND HANDED IT TO ROY.

HE STILL TODAY HAS THAT BRUSH AND KNIFE IN HIS STUDY.

SEVERAL OF THE ROCK THROWERS GOT SAVED, AND STARTED A BASEBALL TEAM. I’M SURE YOU KNOW WHAT FABULOUS BASEBALL PLAYERS THE DOMINICANS ARE!

THE NEXT YEAR WENT THERE, AND PRESENTED THOSE GUYS A BOX OF BASEBALLS, AND THEY, IN TURN, PRESENTED ROY WITH A BASEBALL OF ALL THEIR SIGNATURES, WHICH STILL IS A PRIZED POSESSION OF HIS.   NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!! 

 

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Articles, Nathan Bland

Ham’s Sin

| LMCI

Noah had 3 sons- Shem, Ham and Japheth. In chapter 9 of Genesis, Ham had committed a sin. This sin caused Noah to be so angry that one of Ham’s seeds, Canaan, was cursed… the entire lineage of people from the seed of Canaan. What was Ham’s sin?

Genesis 9: 18-29
18. And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
19. These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.
20. And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
21. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
22. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
23. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.
24. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
25. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
26. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
27. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
28. And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
29. And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.
KJV

First off, in verse 18 there is something significant.
“18. And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.”

Noah had three sons and Noah’s three sons each had children. So what made Ham’s seed significant enough to mention. A quick look at chapter 10 will reveal that this was not Ham’s only son…

Genesis 10:6
6. And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
KJV

We never want to just read over something so quickly in the bible  and disregard anything as just “flavor text” or filler- everything written actually means something. So why if Ham had 4 sons is Canaan mentioned in verse 18? Why is this seed significant?

Look at verse 22
“22. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.”

In this verse Ham is, again, identified specifically as the father of Canaan. So we need to dig a little deeper with this text at this point and find out what is going on here. What does this verse mean by “saw the nakedness of his father“? By reading verses 20-21,

20. And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
21. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

-we could easily assume this was talking about Noah being naked and move on- but that would not explain the anger of his father and the cursing of an entire seed. There is something missing…

Well something we often overlook, especially those of us who live in the western world, is that when a man and a woman get married they become one flesh. They are no longer two, but one the bible says. So we overlook the fact that Noah had three sons and therefore had to have a wife to bear him these children. Sometimes you may see on an announcement about, or a letter to a married couple- addressed as “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe”. We know because they are married that this includes John Doe’s wife even though her name is not mentioned. When in verse 21 it says “and he was uncovered within his tent” this is referring to Noah’s wife.

Now back to verse 22- what does “saw the nakedness of his father” mean? Well a quick trip through the book of Leviticus will open up revelation to us on this…

Leviticus 20:11
11. And the man that lieth with his father’s wife hath uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
KJV

Whoa! Now Noah’s anger is definitely understandable! Now let’s seal this fact.

25. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

I like the term used in the NASB which helps us to really understand who Canaan’s brethren are.

25. So he said, Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brothers.
NASB

Well we know that Ham is Canaan’s father, so who are Canaan’s brothers? well… read on…

26. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
27. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

Wait a minute… Canaan shall be the servant of Shem and Japheth- so Shem and Japheth are his brothers… but that’s Ham’s brothers. So how can Canaan have the same brothers as his father? Only if Canaan’s mother is the mother of Shem and Japheth.

And there you have it. Canaan was a seed that was not supposed to be. The land should have been inhabited by the three sons of Noah, but because of Ham’s sin a fourth was added that would cause much issue for Abraham’s seed that was unnecessary. The promised land was the land of Canaan, that Abraham was sent into, which is where the descendants of Canaan dwelt. Canaan’s curse was so important to identify, that Abraham gave important instruction to his son Isaac not to take a wife of the children of Canaan- as did Isaac give instruction of this to Jacob. Esau in his rebellion to his father, took wives of this lineage from Canaan through Ishmael.

It never pays to break God’s laws- it only makes things harder. God has given us specific instruction about life- and it’s all for our good. He is the manufacturer of all creation and knows what is best for His design.

Praise God for His instruction, I will delight myself in His laws and in Him will I trust and obey!

-For The Kingdom, Nathan Bland

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

WAIT

| Jeanette

THERE IS MUCH ABOUT “WAITING” IN THE SCRIPTURES.—-MOSTLY ABOUT WAITING ON GOD. OUR MANNER OR METHOD OF WAITING IS AS IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW AS THE BLESSINGS ATTACHED. TOGETHER WE WILL STUDY SOME OF THESE. THE TITLE OF TODAY’S MESSAGE IS “WAIT”.

OUR SCRIPTURE READING IS FOUND IN ISAIAH 40:29-31, AND VARIOUS VERSES OF THE PSALMS.

WHEN WE THINK OF WAITING, IN THE NATURAL, IT “GOES-AGAINST-THE-GRAIN”. NONE OF US LIKE THAT WORD. WE ARE SO USED TO FAST FOODS AND QUICK SERVICES. —-WE MOVE QUICKER AND FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE, BUT WE STILL DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME! SO, SOMETHING IS WRONG. WHAT IS IT?

IS IT JUST THE WAY IT IS? OR IS IT OUR FAULT?

IF YOU’RE LIKE ME (AND I ASSUME MOST ARE), IF YOU HAVE ANY  EXTRA TIME AT ALL, YOU FEEL GUILTY NOT TO USE IT FOR SOMETHING WORTHWHILE, SO YOU FIND SOMETHING TO DO. BUT  IT’S NOT JUST THE NATURAL MAN THAT SUFFERS IN THIS BUSY LIFE. IT’S OUR RELATIONSHIPS: WITH GOD; WITH FAMILY; AND WITH FRIENDS.

WHEN WE GROW OLDER AND WEAR-OUT OUR BODIES IN THIS FAST “GET-IT-DONE” SOCIETY, WE WILL HAVE TO SIT A LOT, AND DO SOMETHING WITH OUR HANDS: BECAUSE WE HAVE ABUSED OUR BODIES WITH “GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE NOW! ALL OF IT!”

DON’T GET ME WRONG, I KNOW SOME ARE SLOTHFUL AND NEVER GET ANYTHING FINISHED. I KNOW THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE. BUT MY MESSAGE TODAY IN NOT JUST CONCERNING TAKING SOME TIME TO REST OUR BODIES AND MINDS, BUT WAITING ON GOD: RESTING IN HIM.

ISAIAH 40:31 – THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES, THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY; AND THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT.

IF THERE’S A WAY TO RUN AND NOT BE WEARY,WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. WELL LOOK AT THE PRECEEDING VERSES (29,30) – HE (GOD) GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT; AND THEM THAT HAVE NO MIGHT HE INCREASETH STRENGTH. EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT AND BE WEARY, AND THE YOUNG MEN SHALL UTTERLY FALL.

SO IT IS, THAT GOD IS WHERE WE GET OUR STRENGTH.

LIFTING WEIGHTS AND EXERCISING IS GOOD TO STRENGTHEN OUR MUSCLES, BOT ONLY GOD CAN GIVE US STRENGTH IN OUR BODIES, AND PEACE OF MIND, AT THE SAME TIME. THE LACK OF PEACE AND HOPE, CAN MAKE THE STRONGEST WEARY.

MANY HAVE GREAT PLANS, IMPORTANT PLANS, BUT IF THEY DON’T WAIT ON GOD TO LEAD, THAY JUST RUN IN CIRCLES AND NEVER GET ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED.

ISAIAH 40:31 (AMPLIFIED) –  BUT THOSE WHO WAIT FOR THE LORD (WHO EXPECT, LOOK FOR, AND HOPE IN HIM)  SHALL CHANGE AND RENEW THEIR STRENGTH AND POWER; THEY SHALL LIFT THEIR WINGS AND MOUNT UP (CLOSE TO GOD)  AS EAGLES  (MOUNT UP TO THE SUN); WALK AND NOT FAINT OR BECOME TIRED.

THIS IS A VERY FAMILIAR VERSE WITH MOST PEOPLE, BUT DO WE REALLY COMPREHEND IT’S CONTENT, –IT’S MEANING?

THE LORD’S STRENGTH IS A STRENGTH UNFAILING. HE GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT—-HE INCREASES STRENGTH.  HE WHO IS NEVER WEARY STRENGTHENS THOSE WHO ARE TIRED, AND UPON HIM, THAT IS OF NO MIGHT, HE LAVISHES POWER.

THOUGH AGE AND VIGOR BE AT THEIR PRIME, EVEN YOUTHS AND YOUNG MEN FALL (V.30). NATURAL STRENGTH AT IT’S BEST CAN BE EXAUSTED, BUT NOT THE SUPERNATURAL. THEREFORE, THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD IN THE EXPECTANCY OF FAITH, RISE ABOVE THE MUNDANE; THE EARTHLY; AND FIND GRACE FOR DOGGED PERSISTENCE.

“FOR THE FAITHFUL, THERE IS NO FAILURE; AND FAITH KNOWS NO WEARINESS.”

IN VERSES 28-29, WE HAVE THE PROMISE OF “STRENGTH FOR HOLY LIVING”. GOD PROVIDES STRENGTH; STRENGTH IS RENEWED BY WAITING ON THE LORD; AND GOD ADJUSTS THE SUPPLY OF STRENGTH TO THE PRESENT NEED.

ISAIAH 64:4 –  FOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD MEN HAVE NOT HEARD, NOR PERCEIVED BY THE EAR, NEITHER HATH THE EYE SEEN, O GOD, BESIDE THEE, WHAT HE HATH PREPARED FOR HIM THAT WAITETH FOR HIM.

 HE HAS TO BE WAITED FOR. IT IS QUITE TRUE OF HIM THAT HE IS ALWAYS WORKING FOR US; BUT IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT HE IS OFTEN A LONG TIME IN THE WORKING OUT OF HIS PURPOSES.—-BUT HARDLY NEVER HAPPENS OVER-NIGHT.

THEN, BECAUSE MAN CANNOT GET WHAT THEY WANT DONE QUICKLY, THEY FOOLISHLY BEGIN TO THINK GOD CANNOT OR WILL NOT DO IT FOR THEM, THEY FAIL TO SEE GOD’S GOODNESS. SO THE POINT OF IMPRESSION MAY BE: THAT IN ALL THE REVIEWS WE CAN TAKE OF THE PAST: —-GOD HAS SURELY BROUGHT TO PASS GOOD THINGS; EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN LONG IN THE WORKING, IT IS A MATTER OF TRUSTING HIM,  TO DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

THAT IS HARD FOR US TO COMPREHEND, BECAUSE PEOPLE AROUND US, HAVE PROMISED US THINGS THAT NEVER COME TO PASS, EVEN THOUGH WE WAITED AND WAITED FOR THEM.

ONE SAD EXAMPLE IS, AND ORPHAN WHOSE PARENTS PROMISED TO COME SEE THEM AND TAKE THEM OFF FOR THE DAY. – I KNOW A LITTLE GIRL WHO SAT ALL DAY ON THE ORPHANAGE STEPS, WITH HER LITTLE PURSE, WAITING FOR THAT PARENT WHO NEVER CAME.

IT IS SO EASY FOR US TO THINK ON A REALM LIKE THIS, THAT WAS A NEGATIVE REALITY—-BUT WE HAVE PROMISES FROM OUR GOD THAT HAVE ALREADY COME TO PASS FOR US; BU WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE MANIFESTATION.

WHAT A LONG TIME OF WAITING AND PREPARATION BEFORE GOD MANIFESTED HIS SON; BUT …IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME…JESUS CAME, TO SAVE THE WORLD.

WE ARE NOW, WAITNG FOR HIS RETURN. WHILE WE ARE WAITING, LET US ALL REMEMBER, THAT WHEN WE SEE JESUS EARTH’S TRIALS WILL SEEM SO SMALL. ONE GLIMPSE OF HIS DEAR FACE, ALL GLORY WILL ERASE. IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL, WHEN WE SEE CHRIST.  

LUKE 12:36,37 – AND YE YOURSELVES LIKE UNTO MEN THAT WAIT FOR THEIR LORD, WHEN HE WILL RETURN FROM THE WEDDING; THAT WHEN HE COMETH AND KNOCKETH, THEY MAY OPEN UNTO HIM IMMEDIATELY.

      BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, WHOM THE LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND WATCHING: VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT HE WILL GIRD HIMSELF, AND MAKE THEM TO SIT DOWN TO MEAT, AND WILL COME FORTH AND SERVE THEM.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

MOVER AND SHAKERS

| Jeanette

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

My husband has a name for those who get things done. He calls them “Movers and Shakers.” These are people who know what they have to do, and do it. Many are still waiting for lightening to strike, to get them going. I see those who wait for somebody to tell them what to do.
On the other hand, there are those who are always busy. These are the one’s you know you can depend on when the going gets rough.
These are the one’s, that can do just a little bit more when asked.
If you want somebody to do something, ask someone who is already doing something

Keep in mind, I am not criticizing those who move slow; it happens to be my nature too. A slow mover can move slow, but not be slow to move. This kind of mover can still be going at the end of the day, when the fast mover has run out of steam. We all know, though, some are just lazy. These are the one’s, who watch while someone else is doing it.

I never liked watching, I always wanted to get my hands into it.
Are you like that? Sometimes, people see this as taking over, but at least were doing something. The other evening, I was listening to a train horn blow near my home, I said to the Lord, “That train sounds so lonely.” The Lord answered me this way, “Well, it’s going somewhere, and it’s doing something”.

Turn with me to Mark 1starting with verse 16:
Today, we are going to be studying about some movers and shakers in the New Testament.
Now as He (meaning Jesus) walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And straightway, they forsook their nets, and followed Him.

And straightway they forsook their nets…. Straightway is defined as immediately.
I can almost see them now, Simon and Andrew, busy, casting their nets into the sea for a catch. —- Jesus, who had just come out of His forty days of fasting and being tempted of the devil, in the wilderness, was on a mission, to collect some of the most rugged men, to follow Him, to be His companions for three years.

I don’t recall Jesus calling any who were not already doing something.
You might ask, “When is God going to call me, or give me something to do?”
My answer is, when you bloom where you are planted!
There is much to do in the kingdom of God. Get busy, take the initiative, find something to do. Ask.

Simon and Andrew were quick to respond. They left what they were doing, and followed Jesus, but not until they received the call, did they leave their business behind. Jesus had a plan for their lives and when the call came, they went, but they still had to be taught how to minister.

God has a plan for your life, but you need to stay busy, and seek Him daily, to find your intended place of service, your destiny.

In verse 17, Jesus said, … Come ye after Me….
Don’t take off and try to do it yourself; but …follow Me…and I will make you to become fishers of men. (I will shape you into, I will do construction on you, until you are fishers of men.)
I will teach you, and train you, I will spend time with you, and give you an opportunity to watch how I do it, and I will allow you “On-Hands experience”.

What would it be like if they decided to “go it on their own without the proper training? I can see them now—- Trying to do it by themselves: running here and there, exhausted, without much success.

Verse 19 —- And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were on the ship mending their nets.
James and John, had already pulled in their catch for the day, and were mending them, when Jesus arrived.
Verse 20 —- And straightway He called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with hired servants, and went after Him.
There’s that straightway word again, which means immediately.
And immediately He called them.
Jesus knew, through fasting, and spending time with the Father, what His Father had instructed Him to do, and He wasted no time.
Jesus called His disciples immediately, and they responded immediately.

They must have said, “Dad, we’re out of this kind of fishing business; here are some men to help you. We know what our purpose is. We must follow Jesus.”

Now look at verse 21 —- And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Jesus had a ministry of His own, but He went to Church, He and His four disciples or learners went with Him.

Verse 22 —- And they were astonished at His doctrine (or teachings): for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
They were amazed at the knowledge of Jesus and His authority, and we know the anointing makes the difference, but what was
Mark talking about when he
wrote…not as the scribes…? There were several things that caused His teaching to differ from that of the scribes. There was no lack of self-assertion or self-assurance in their teaching; but their words did not carry weight. Their teaching was based chiefly on tradition; but neglected judgment and mercy and faith. Christ’s teaching, on the contrary, was eminently or completely spiritual. Also, He practiced what He taught, unlike the scribes. They had religion, Jesus Had relationship with the Father.

Verse 23 —- And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Now, this was big-time. I can see these four new disciples, standing their amazed when this unclean spirit, who was the “strongman”, began to scream out.
Verse 24 —- Saying,… (now the demons are talking)…Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God.
The strong-man, this unclean spirit, is the leader of the demons in this man. In verse 23 we read …an unclean spirit…singular; and then we read in verse 24, …Let us alone…plural, This proves

It shows the immediate effect of our Lord’s preaching. This man was possessed by these demons, and the anointing of our Lord caused the demons to manifest in His presence.
In real truth, the preaching of Jesus has already thrown the whole world of evil spirits into a state of excitement and alarm.
The powers of darkness are beginning to tremble. They feel that One greater than Satan has appeared, and they ask, …What have we to do with Thee?…Why are You trying to drive us out of our possession? We have a right to take possession of sinners.

Verse 25 —- And Jesus rebuked Him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Jesus didn’t toy with these demons like so many think they should now, He just told it to shut-up and get out of there.
This demon was fearful, but defiant.
Look at the next verse, verse 26 —- And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
He didn’t want to come out, but he had no choice, he had met a power stronger than his; much stronger;, no comparison; he had to come out, and he came out screaming. It no longer had control of this mans vocal cords; no longer could the demon talk.

Verse 27 —- And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.
They were actually saying, What is this new revelation?”
This gave more indication, or a sign, that this must be the promised Messiah, the true God; for He alone by His power could rule the evil spirits.
I believe, this is what they were discussing among themselves.
Verse 28 —- And immediately His fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
We could go on in this Chapter, in verse 31, where Jesus took Simon’s mother-in-law by the hand, lifts her up, and immediately the fever left her.
What follows is, healings and deliverance’s, every where He appears.

I read in a commentary, there are approximately 10 times where straightway or immediately is found in this first Chapter of Mark, but the most important event or outcome, is that we get a new revelation of what Jesus was like. There is no way we can know it all, but we can learn as we study and follow our Savior.

Until next week.

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